Convening

Meridian Honors Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés at 12th Annual Reception

Honoring Kiyomi Buker, Senior Advisor and Social Secretary to the Ambassador of Japan, (center) for her longstanding service and distinction as one of the longest-serving social secretaries in Washington, D.C. Photo by Jess Latos. In international relations, progress o ften unfolds not through major announcements, but in the quieter moments where genuine connection takes place. Whether over a shared meal, a cultural event, or a candid conversation, these interactions build trust and lay the groundwork for long-term global partnerships.

Behind them are the social secretaries and cultural attachés, whose careful planning and attention to detail turn diplomacy into real, personal relationships. To highlight their vital role, Meridian International Center hosted its 12th annual Reception Honoring Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés on July 30, 2025, at Meridian House. The event brought together members of the diplomatic corps, U.S. government officials, cultural leaders, and Meridian partners to celebrate their contributions to diplomacy.

The evening featured remarks on the growing importance of cultural exchange, and the power of interpersonal connection in strengthening foreign policy. The Honorable Rosie Rios, Chair of America250, delivered remarks outlining the national and global scope of the upcoming U.S. semi-quincentennial in 2026 and highlighted Meridian’s role as the International Relations National Resource Partner. She emphasized Meridian’s work mobilizing both Washington-based embassies and U.S. embassies abroad to help shape a celebration grounded in shared values, global collaboration, and the future of diplomacy.

The Honorable Rosie Rios, Chair of the America250 U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, delivers remarks at the Social Secretaries and Cultural Attaches Reception at Meridian House in Washington, DC on July 30, 2025. Photo by Jess Latos. Ellie Gilchrist (Office of Congresswoman Young Kim), Edwaard Liang (The Washington Ballet), Heather Florance (Bunny Melon Healing Garden), and Ambassador Stuart Holliday (CEO, Meridian International Center) pose for a photo following remarks at the Social Secretaries and Cultural Attaches Reception at Meridian House in Washington, DC on July 30, 2025.

Photo by Jess Latos. Meridian International Center CEO Ambassador Stuart Holliday delivers opening remarks at the Social Secretaries and Cultural Attaches Reception at Merdian House in Washington, DC on July 30, 2025. Photo by Jess Latos. Top Left: Jane Somerville (Embassy of Australia), Clara Mosquera (Embassy of Argentina), Victoria Molteni (Embassy of Argentina), Sandra Pires (Embassy of Portugal), Adonis Fakhri (Embassy of Yemen), Sabine Janisela (Embassy of Latvia), Ambassador Stuart Holliday (Meridian International Center), Luka Jusic (Embassy of Croatia), Michele Giacalone (Embassy of Italy), Francesca Baldanzi (Embassy of Italy), Javier Bartoli-Pinero (Inter-American Development Bank), and Natalie Jones (Meridian International Center).

Starting on Bottom Left: Joy Chen (Embassy of Australia), Stefan Hansen (Embassy of Sweden), Kiyomi Buker (Embassy of Japan), Sophia Hermosilla (Embassy of Costa Rica), Priyanthi Kanakaratna (Embassy of Bangladesh), Doris Knezovic (Embassy of Croatia), Chunmei Chen (Embassy of the People’s Republic of China), Ifrah Tariq (Embassy of Pakistan), Elizabeth Herndler (Embassy of Luxemborg), Norma Ces (Embassy of Ireland), and Jing Zhao (Embassy of the People’s Republic of China) Project summary Meridian Honors Social Secretaries and Cultural Attachés at 12th Annual Reception | July 2025 Regions: Africa , East Asia and Pacific , Europe and Eurasia , Near East and North Africa , Western Hemisphere , South and Central Asia Impact Areas: Public Diplomacy , Sports and Cultural Diplomacy .